Change was something Welsh football never seemed to do well. Poorly conceived, communicated, and executed ideas left the more cynical among us viewing the inception of the Cymru North and Cymru South – replacing the Cymru Alliance and Welsh League in 2019 – as little more than a rebranding exercise.
Yet, in just six short years (or five actual seasons, factoring in the lost COVID year), few would now argue that Tier 2 football is flourishing under the Cymru Leagues umbrella.
Clubs are steadily improving their facilities and infrastructure, edging away from their amateur roots with increased confidence and know-how. The competitive element of Tier 2 football boasts a wonderfully endearing fierce-but-friendly mentality, generating an unquantifiable buzz among clubs throughout the Cymru North and South.
Galvanised by newfound ambitions that once seemed far-fetched and unachievable, these clubs are now fully committed to progressive advancement, aided by a long-overdue extension of support and financial assistance from the governing body
With the much-anticipated Cymru Premier 16-club expansion just 12 months away, the 2025/26 season offers an unprecedented opportunity, making three promotion spaces available for the top three clubs in both the Cymru North and Cymru South.
Until the end of the season, the cynics will point out a possible flaw in the expansion format and the uncertainty that would be caused if more than two of the six promotion candidates were unable to meet the Tier 1 criteria, but in what is an unparalleled era of hope for our domestic leagues, it’s time to champion an optimistic outlook.
The main contenders
In the South, the battle for those promotion spots will be particularly fierce. The arrival of Aberystwyth Town, dropping into the league after circling the drain at the foot of the Cymru Premier table for a season too many, further complicates the picture. Although, how the new-look Seasiders respond to their new surroundings will determine ambitions of an immediate return to the top-flight.
Trethomas Bluebirds were pipped to the Cymru South title last season but they enter the new campaign with more than a runner’s up hangover to contend with. Mark Dunford’s decision to depart the club at the end of the season sparked a brutal summer that saw no less than 10 players follow their former manager to his newly appointed Pontypridd United.
That should bode well, in theory, for Pontypridd, whose fifth-place finish last season felt like something of an underachievement. Their hopes this time around will rest on whether Dunford can repeat last season’s feat with a group of players he has already succeeded with. Will the rest of the Cymru South be less off-guard and better prepared for the Pontypridd-Trethomas hybrid this time around?
Cambrian United could well be lifting the Cymru South title at the end of next season, giving The Rhondda representation in the 16-team Cymru Premier. Golden Boot winner Liam Eason headlines a list of impressive arrivals.
Newport City will be looking to continue their strong finish to last season and build on last season’s third-place finish. The arrivals of Kayne Mclaggon and Nat Jarvis provides Sam Houldsworth’s side added firepower and it’s difficult to see them falling away.
Trefelin can also be expected to be in the mix having put together a promising front-line that will see Lee Trundle joined by summer signings Tyler Brock and Luke Bowen.
Friday, July 25, 2025
Newport City 1 Afan Lido 0
Trethomas Bluebirds 1 Trefelin 2
Cambrian United 4 Treowen Stars 0
Saturday, July 26, 2025
Cardiff Draconians vs Ammanford
Cwmbran Celtic vs Carmarthen Town
Llantwit Major vs Aberystwyth
Ynyshir Albions vs Caerau Ely
Sunday, July 27, 2025
Baglan Dragons vs Pontypridd Town
The Welsh Football Notebook 